Pekin easily defeats lowly North Mahaska

By ALLYUS FRITZ/Ledger sports editor | Sep 30, 2013

The Pekin Panthers (4-1) football team easily defeated North Mahaska Friday by the score of 53-16.

One statistic tells how this game went more than any other. Pekin’s rushing game has been essential to its success so far this season, and this game was not any different. Pekin outrushed North Mahaska 424-31.

Chase Copeland rushed for 160 yards and four touchdowns. Petie Clubb also hit the 100-yard mark, rushing for 155 yards and two scores.

“We have shown that we can play at a high level when we are focused, and we can play very average when we aren’t,” Pekin head coach Joe Donovan said. “We are still looking to put four quarters of good football together.”

Kolby Allsup threw for 89 yards but also threw two interceptions. Christian Wittrock led the Panthers in the receiving game with four catches and 59 yards.

“I like the way we came out and established the pass the first quarter and put points on the board,” Donovan said.

Tanner Adam led the team with seven total tackles. Cade Millikin caught an interception.

English Valley comes to Pekin Friday. The Panthers have a good chance of being 5-1 when they travel to Montezuma on Oct. 11.